Conveyer lubricator



July 22, 1952 w. A. J. GOVAN CONVEYER LUBRICATOR 2 SHEETS -SHEET 1 Filed Oct. '10, 1947 INVENTOR M 4/fr/mrrz 60/44/ BY y 1952 l w. A. J. GOVAN 2,604,199

4 CONVEYER LUBRICATOR Filed Oct. 10, 1947 2SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTOR h/- 14/?750Fd 601 44 ATTORNEYS Patented July 22, 1952 "UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE Gama man-m if William James Gov an, l eachhurst, NQY.

Application October 10, 1947,.i seria1uii. 779,010

ates in order to provide a simplifiedmeans jot lubricating the Conveyor.

More specifically, my invention relates. to I a lubricating attachment for the slat typelcory' veyorsused inbottling machinery. H f In machines which'are designed specificallytor the filling and closing of bottles, it is customary to provide a plurality of conveyors andturntables so that the bottles may be rapidly carried in erect position to the filling point, moved on a turntablebeneath the filling apparatus, and then rapidly carried away. I

Similar types of feeding conveyors, turntable and delivery conveyors are used in connection with apparatus for closing the bottle after'it is filled and in apparatus for labeling the bottle. 4 Asimple' machine may thushave .at the minimum two conveyors "and one turntable. v

Inorder'to ensure that the filling, closing or labeling apparatus 1 receives a' sufficient supply of bottles so that all of the operating elements thereof arecontinuously in use, it is customary to place an excess of bottles on the feed-in conveyor which delivers the bottles to the turntable on which the operations are performed.

I Th'ebottles, therefore, when they reach the turntable are held back by reason of the fact that they cannot enter the turntable until clearance is 'provided.jfor them. The bottles" must, therefore, stand stilland'hence. must slide'backwardswith respect to. the moving conveyor, the bottles closer to the turntable pushing back against the more remote bottles. i Itlhas become customary to lubricate the conveyo'r so t hat thelbottles may readily slide-on thcfco'nveyor when thus .held' back or pushed back without tipping over. Since the conveyoris filled with bottles, any bottle which tips over. may tip overa'whole line of'bottl'es progressively.

j, The necessity fora lubricant for the .feed-in conveyor, .the jturntable; and the delivery eon veyor' has long' been recognized; It has become customary to place. a bar of lubricating soapon the conveyor just before the point ,atLWhichEthe bottles reach the conveyor and to drip 'waterr'on the soapfso thatth'e conveyor will "be covered with a soap filmon whichthe bottles may readily slide. ,i In the case of turntables,fsince only anar e of the order of 180 of the turntable is used for the operations on bottles, the barjof soapv was placed in a holdertraversed by the unused segmentfoi the turntable in order to lubricate the turntable;

' The combination of v r I r the bar of soap rubbing onthe conveyorturntable with the water drip-. ping thereon has created many difficulties. If there was an excess of water, the soap film was simply washed off. IfIthe flow of water was too small in amount. then a heavy coating of soap was rubbed off ontheconveyor, forming a lumpy mass which was likely to tip the bottles over in an e t ;Howe ver,-this type of lubricating means has remained the rule in bottling apparatus up ;to the. present time. Various attempts have been made to improve the. methods and .means for applying lubricating soap to theconveyors and turntables n order to obviatethe difiicultie's which arose inthe case of the usefof; as imple replaceable bar of soap..

Thus, in the 'past. atte'rnpts' have been made to utilize a moving belt'; dippi ng into a soap solution and rubbing'ori the conveyor. However, it wasfound thataninsufficient deposit oflubricantwas thereby obtained,

Mypresent invention is directed to the specific constructionof an applicator designed to apply a film for lubricating purposes of the proper lubricating type on .the conveyor or turntable. Specifically, my invention contemplates the placement'of a. lubricating solution in a container supported below the conveyor adjacent the point where the conveyor turns around its sprocket into conveyingposition. The applicator which raises thelubricating.fluid from the container to .thel conveyor and applies ,it to the conveyor itself .is especially designed both to froth the solution and to apply the emulsified lubricant to the conveyor f f a v 7 In order. to accomplish this, my novel applica tor comprisesyinstead of anapplicating cylinder or roller, a plurality of. discs spaced'fromleach other; the. spacers of special formation rotating in,..the fiuid" solution froths a suflicient portion thereof and raises the frothed portion of the fluid to thecoh'veyoifj H c l he ;jspacers-l -between the. discs. may be, so shaped and. constructed as to constitute: addit-v tiOnalmeansiIfor agitating the solution in the contain'er in order-to form the froth. y 'The essential element of my invention the application ofv thelubricant a frothed term rather jthan'as aimere liquid. thep'rimary object of my invention is the provision of a novel applicator for applying alubricating solution in frothed form to aconveyor belt.1. f V v Another object. of my invention the pro? The utilization of a container and applicator 1 I so constructed as to include agitating means also provides by reason of this inclusion of "agitating" means elements which throw the lubricant from the container up to the surface of-the conveyor.

The discs in such case by engaging the conveyor provide the motive power for" frothing'of-the' fluid and transmission to the conveyor. The applicator of the type above-described is more specifically adapted for application of the lubricant to the under 1 side" of the conveyor, preferably just before theconveyor makes the turn over the sprocket to the upper side. 7

' The foregoing and many other objects of my invention will become apparent from the followingdescription and drawings in which:

Figure "1 is "a viewin perspectiveof my novel applicator. Figure 2 is a schematic view showing' the method'of cooperation between my novel" applicatorand'a'conveyor. r

Fi'gure 3 is an exploded view of my novel composite applicator 'roll'ershowing the arrangement thereof as a plurality'of spaced discs.

Figures-4; 5, 6;"7, and 8 areview's in perspec-- tiye-o'f different types of spacers-between the discs of the applicator of Figure for agitating'the soap-solution in the container;

Figure-8a is a view'of the preferred formof spacer. V g Figure 9-is a view in -perspective of the appli-' cator roller itself showing also the meterin'gpr' controlling device for regulating' the" amount "of lubricant conveyed by the applicators Referring first to Figure-1, my-novel appli cater comprises a container i8'for a lubricat ing solution. Acomposite applicator I 6, includmg 'a plurality ofindividual spa-ced discs '25 is mounted on-the shaft I9 held between mesme- Wallsof-the container'lfi; V V

The applicator l6,- as shown in Figures 3 and; 9,'-=comprisesa sleeve shaft x28- rotatable' on? the snafu- 400, and slidable laterallyf with respect thereto A 'plura-lity' or spaced discs 26 are sfe-' cured'orr the sleeve shaft or bushing28,f the discs '26 being spaced from each other-by thefspac ers zl 'to produce a plurality' of' gaps-42: The spacers-2 lf'are preferably shaped to produce when rotateda frothin action-in= the' fluid:; rescues 26 and spacers 21 are heldo'n shaft 28'' by the nuts Miaand" vvashers 40b on" the threaded-endsof'shaft 28: 'Sh'aft 40 j through the longitudinal openingofsha'ftV283so that-'the -applicator' l l isrotatable' thereon 'ja'nd slidabl laterally thereon.- The shaft 14 UC'E re."-' moyably mounted in U-shaped-hanger bearings 40d secured to'the'inter'ior of the i'sidewalls': of the container. r f The applicator i6 is thus readily"removable-by. simply lifting it out forad-justment;replacement; repairor cleaning. Thenu'mber of' discslahd space-r sensleeve-shaft 28 may be 'varied For this purpose, shaft 2 may be threaded alongits whole length to provide for maximum variation inthe number of discs andspacers;

4 V The container is mounted beneath tne conveyor 22 as shown schematically in Figure 2 by the mounting straps l4 secured to any stationary part of the frame of the machine.

The upper ends of straps M are provided with slots Ma to facilitate the mounting thereof on the frame. The lower parts of the straps M are provided with open ended slots 14b through which bolts 7 I40 carried by the sidewalls of the container [8 may be passed. Wing nuts I! tightened on the bolts Me secure the container l8 in position at the lower end of straps M. The o'pen endedi slots Mb permit the Withdrawal of the container l8 for cleaning the same when necessa'rywithoutdisturbing the securement of the straps I4 on the main frame. The slots [4a and Nb permit vertical adjustment of the container and applicator. Y

Appropriate driving friction against the discs 26 is obtained by adjusting the container to a height (as seen in Figure '2 where the conveyor is'partially'wrapped' around'the'discs 26. The container may be adjusted higher or lower as required to obtain proper driving friction.

The upper end of the container carries hinged to the end walls thereof the shields 45, 45. These shields 45 are preferably hinged on bolts [40 which" preferably constitutefcontinuous rods. threaded at'the ends and passing through the containerlaterallyat each end.

' The shields 45 and 45a comprise a top section 45" and side sections 41', 41. The shield 45 is'arranged so that it will'confinethe froth-to the interior of the container. 1 r f Shield'45a'on the pick-up side of'the applicator'serves two purposes: One, that of locating and adjusting the lateral position of applicator IB' -pn shaft 4 30 by means of the guides on'th'e comb structure '30; two,'by adjusting the'angular position of shield 45a, the" comb structure 30 is-moved into spaces 42 or retracted therefrom to control the amount of froth'picked by the froth? ingspacers; I I 7 The angular position, upor down of shield 4511; as well as of shield 45, is adjustably fixed by wing nut 41 on'bolt' i9 which hasan'interior clamp ing head extending beyondthe sides 41'ofthe shields. Turning of wing nut'dl pullsth bolt ISan-d itsclamping head hpagainst sides, 41 to clamp" them 7 between the clamping head I of bolt IS and the inside of the container.

The shields45' may reajdilyzbe liftedto permit the applicator I6 to be withdrawn: *When'the applicator is mounted beneath the conveyors as shown'sch'ematically in 'Figu'rei2; then the 'solution 24" m the containerf li8' is frothed bypthe rotation of"spacers' or, emulsifi ers-21-which pick up frothed' lubricant and trans mit it to the side'of conveyor 22; v

The bottles'z l riding on theconveyor 22 may now slide with respect to the conveyor when halted *by an extraneousobject without tipping. over: When the extraneous, force 01'. objectwhic'h halts the bottlesis removed, then thebottles are carried forwardby thei'conv'e'yo-r'22; f 7 Thedubricant thus of *s'uch nature that it ot interfere with" "the: movement. ofthe bottles truth 1 the conveyor while no extra ous; force halts the bottles; but it will permit [the bottles to slide with respect to the conveyor when suchextraneousrforce exists. f

Thus, the primary feature "of the. present in Vehtldn is that the arrangement 'Ofthe applicator motivating discs 26 which contact theconireyor' aud'provide the power for rotating" the spacer emulsifiers 21 which froth the liquid'and transmit it to the conveyor.

The spacer frothers 21 may be given various shapes'lto enhance both the frothing action and lubricant applicating action. Thus, instead of being round as in Figures 3 and 5, one or more detents 60 may be cut in the rim of spacers 21a as shown in Figure 4; or an extending finger 6| may be embedded in the spacers 27b of Figure 6; or the spacers 210 of Figure 7 may be in a square form; on the spacers 21d of Figure 8.may be triangular-in form.

In Figure 8a I have shown a preferred star wheel form of spacer 21c. Other irregular shapes may, of course, be used.

Various combinations of shapes of spacers may be used in the same applicator at the same time.

The frothing action of the spacers 27a of Figure 4' may be enhanced by arranging the spacers 21a so that the detents 60 are not aligned with each other.

The same principle is applicable to the stirring finger or extension 6| of spacers 215. These fingers may be staggered annularly with respect to each other in different spacers to produce a steady frothing and transmitting action.

Likewise, in the use of spacers 210 of Figure 7 or 215 of Figure 8, these spacers may be so arranged that the sides of adjacent spacers are not parallel to each other and so that the corners of the spacers are staggered annularly to produce a constant frothing.

In addition, to achieve the froth, the discs 26 may be inclined on their sleeve shaft 28 so that they are not absolutely normal thereto.

For this purpose, the spacers may be thicker on one side than on the other to permit arrangement of the discs 26 so that they are inclined to the normal; and the discs 26 need not necessarily all be parallel to each other but may be inclined at slightly different angles. This too will produce a very emcient emulsification of the solution.

In the foregoing I have described my invention in connection with a specific novel" applicator adapted to apply a lubricant in emulsified form to the under side of a conveyor. Many variations and modifications of my invention will be obvious 'to those skilled in the art. In addition, however, it may be necessary in certain types of application to apply the lubricant directly to the top of the conveyor or a turntable.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention solely in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of my invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein contained but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A conveyor and an applicator for frothing and applying a frothable lubricant to the surface of said conveyor, said applicator comprising a container for the lubricant; a composite roller comprising a plurality of spaced discs rotatably mounted in said container and extending above the top thereof to bear against the surface to which lubricant is to be applied; said composite roller being rotated by the movement of said surface with respect to the container; spacers between said discs; said spacers having an irregular conformation to froth lubricant in the container; said spacers transmitting the frothed lubricant to the conveyor between the driving discs.

2. An applicator for applying lubricant to the under surface of a conveyor and the like, said applicator comprising a container for the lubricant; a composite roller comprising a plurality of spaced discs rotatably mounted in said container and extending above the top thereof to bear against the surface to which lubricant is to be applied; said composite roller being rotated by the movement of said surface with respect to the container; said composite roller being removably mounted in said container; a pair of shields covering the end portions of said container; the roller projecting between them; said composite roller being laterally movable in said container; a guide member comprising a plurality of teeth entered between the discs and maintaining said roller in position; said guide member controlling the amount of lubricant transmitted to the conveyor; said guide member being removably mounted on a. shield on the side of the container approached by the discs before they have engaged the surface to which lubricant is applied.

W. ARTHUR J. GOVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,180,708 Fegbusch Apr. 25, 1916 1,191,537 Schall July 18, 1916 1,395,056 Nelson Oct. 25, 1921 1,615,778 Walstead Jan. 25, 1927 1,679,717 Greer Aug. 7, 1928 1,967,751 Goerlich July 24, 1934 2,231,748 Clement Feb. 11, 1941 2,241,104 Grinten May 6, 1941 2,357,679 Moench Sept. 5, 1944 2,367,354 Kanter Jan. 16, 1945 

